Synchronizing call feature data between an IMS network and a legacy network

ABSTRACT

Communication networks and methods are disclosed that synchronize call feature data between an IMS network and a legacy network, such as a cellular network. An IMS subscriber server (e.g., a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)) is notified of changes to feature data for a call feature (e.g., call forwarding, call waiting, etc) in the IMS network. Responsive to the notification, the IMS subscriber server updates a legacy subscriber server (e.g., a Home Location Register (HLR)) in the legacy network based on the change to the feature data. Similarly, the IMS subscriber server identifies changes to feature data for a call feature in the legacy network. Responsive to the change, the IMS subscriber server notifies one or more application servers in the IMS network of the change to the feature data. Through the IMS subscriber server, feature data for call features is synchronized between the IMS network and the legacy network.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/566,497 filed on Dec. 4, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.7,583,655 which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to the field of communication networks and, inparticular, to synchronizing call feature data between an IMS networkand a legacy network, such as a cellular network.

2. Statement of the Problem

Wireless phone providers are developing dual mode phones that have thefunctionality for communicating with a cellular network (e.g., CDMA orGSM) and another type of wireless data network, such as a WiFi network(e.g., 802.11b, 802.11g, etc). The concept of the dual mode phone is toallow a user the flexibility to communicate with either the cellularnetwork or the wireless data network. The wireless data networks aretypically used for data communications such as Internet browsing, email,etc, but may also be used for voice communications in the form of VoIPcalls. Cellular networks are typically used for voice communications,but have also been adapted for data communications.

When a dual mode phone is in range of the cellular network, the dualmode phone registers with the cellular network to receive communicationaccess. The user may subscribe to call features offered by the cellularservice provider, such as call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, etc.The call features subscribed to by the user are typically recorded in auser profile that is stored in a Home Location Register (HLR) in thecellular network. Some of these call features may be changed or updatedby the user through his/her dual mode phone, through a web page, etc.For example, the user may change a call forwarding directory number toallow calls to the dual mode phone to be routed to an office phone. Whenthe user changes a call feature, the cellular network updates the userprofile in the HLR to reflect the change.

In addition to cellular networks, dual mode phones may come into rangeof local wireless “hot spots” in a corporation or enterprise, airports,book stores, coffee shops, etc. The wireless hot spot may be in abuilding where cellular service is unavailable or may overlap a cellularservice area. When a dual mode phone is in range of a wireless hot spot,the dual mode phone registers with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) corenetwork via the Wireless LAN (WLAN) to receive communication access. TheIP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core network can provide call featuressimilar to the call features offered by the cellular network.

An IMS network includes a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) that is a masterdatabase that stores user profiles, performs authentication andauthorization of the user, and provides information about the physicallocation of the user. Call features, such as call forwarding, callwaiting, caller ID, etc, are provided in the IMS network by applicationservers (AS). Again, some of these call features provided by theapplication servers may be changed or updated by the user throughhis/her dual mode phone, through a web page, etc, and the change to thecall feature is stored in the appropriate application server. Forinstance, if a user changes call forwarding busy digits, then theapplication server providing the call forwarding busy feature storesthese digits for the user.

The application servers communicate with the HSS over the Diameter Shinterface to extract the necessary feature data to dispatch the logic ofa call feature. The Diameter Sh interface defines two types of data:transparent and non-transparent. Transparent data is data that anapplication server may define and transmit to the HSS for storage. TheHSS does not normally interpret or otherwise process the transparentdata but blindly stores the data in a repository until the applicationserver retrieves the data. Non-transparent data is data that isexplicitly defined as readable, but cannot be changed by applicationserver. It may have an HSS role defined for other HSS interfaces(registration or provisioning) and therefore the HSS has knowledge ofthe content.

A dual mode phone should provide similar call features regardless ofwhether access is through the cellular network or the wireless datanetwork (e.g., IMS network). However, a problem may occur if the userchanges one or more of the call features. If access of the dual modephone is through the cellular network, then the call feature change willbe made in the cellular network and stored in the HLR. If access of thedual mode phone is through the IMS network, then the call feature changewill be made in the IMS network and stored in the application serverthat is providing the call feature and/or the HSS.

Unfortunately, there is presently no efficient mechanism to synchronizecall feature changes between the cellular network (or other legacynetworks) and an IMS network. Presently, an application server may queryan HLR for data updates, but the interface (typically MAP) between theapplication server and the HLR is insufficient to provide thenotifications required to synchronize the call feature changes. As aconsequence, an application server in the IMS network that is adapted toprovide a call feature to a user may not be notified of a change to thecall feature in the cellular network. Similarly, the HLR in the cellularnetwork may not be notified of a change to the call feature in the IMSnetwork. A user of a dual mode phone may unfortunately not receiveconsistent call features from the cellular network and the IMS network.

SUMMARY OF THE SOLUTION

The invention solves the above and other related problems by using anIMS subscriber server, such as a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) that isintegrated with a legacy subscriber server (HLR), to assist insynchronizing call feature data between an IMS network and a legacynetwork (e.g., a cellular network). One embodiment illustrates thesituation where a user of a dual mode device changes feature data for anIMS call feature in the IMS network. An application server, whichprovides the IMS call feature, receives a change to the feature data forthe IMS call feature from the user of the dual mode device. One exampleof a change to feature data may be to change a call forwarding directorynumber for a call forwarding feature in the IMS network. The applicationserver then notifies the IMS subscriber server (e.g., an HSS) of thechange to the feature data for the IMS call feature. The IMS subscriberserver receives the notification of the feature data change from theapplication server, and updates feature data for a legacy call featurein a legacy subscriber server based on the change to the feature datafor the IMS call feature. The legacy subscriber server is the networknode that stores feature data for legacy call features provided in thelegacy network. By updating the legacy subscriber server based on thechange to the feature data in the IMS network, the feature data for thelegacy call feature will be synchronized with the feature data for theIMS call feature. If the user of the dual mode device subsequentlyreceives communication access through the legacy network, then thelegacy network can advantageously provide the call feature to the userin the same manner as the IMS network.

Another embodiment illustrates the situation where a user of a dual modedevice changes feature data for a legacy call feature in the legacynetwork. The legacy subscriber server receives a change to the featuredata for the legacy call feature. As the legacy subscriber server isintegrated with the IMS subscriber server, the IMS subscriber serverthen identifies the change to the feature data for the legacy callfeature in the legacy subscriber server. Responsive to identifying thechange, the IMS subscriber server notifies one or more applicationservers in the IMS network of the change to the feature data for thelegacy call feature. The application servers may then update the featuredata for the IMS call feature based on the notification from the IMSsubscriber server. By updating one or more of the application servers inthe IMS network based on the change to the feature data in the legacynetwork, the feature data for the IMS call feature will be synchronizedwith the feature data for the legacy call feature. If the user of dualmode device subsequently receives communication access through the IMSnetwork, then the IMS network can advantageously provide the callfeature to the user in the same manner as the legacy network.

The invention may include other exemplary embodiments described below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same reference number represents the same element or same type ofelement in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network in an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of synchronizing featuredata for a call feature in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating another method of synchronizingfeature data for a call feature in an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another communication network in an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a message diagram illustrating how application serverssubscribe to feature data changes in an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a message diagram illustrating synchronizing feature databetween an IMS network and a cellular network for a call feature changein the IMS network in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a message diagram illustrating synchronizing feature databetween an IMS network and a cellular network for a call feature changein the cellular network in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-7 and the following description depict specific exemplaryembodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in the art how tomake and use the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventiveprinciples, some conventional aspects of the invention have beensimplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciatevariations from these embodiments that fall within the scope of theinvention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the featuresdescribed below can be combined in various ways to form multiplevariations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limitedto the specific embodiments described below, but only by the claims andtheir equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network 100 in an exemplaryembodiment of the invention. Communication network 100 includes an IMSnetwork 110 and a legacy network 120. The network clouds illustratingthe networks are not being used to show the actual service areas of thenetworks, as the service areas may be separate or overlap. IMS network110 and legacy network 120 are separate networks, but both networks 110and 120 may be managed or owned by a common service provider.

IMS network 110 and legacy network 120 are both adapted to providecommunication services to dual mode device 130. Dual mode device 130comprises any type of communication device adapted to communicate withboth an IMS network and a legacy network. Dual mode device 130 may be awireless device, a wireline device, or a combination of the two. IMSnetwork 110 and legacy network 120 are also adapted to provide callfeatures to dual mode device 130. A call feature comprises some type ofspecial service provided by IMS network 110 and/or legacy network 120.Examples of call features are call forwarding unconditional, callforwarding busy, call forwarding no answer, call forwarding notreachable, call forwarding default, calling number identificationpresentation, calling number identification restriction, calling namepresentation, call waiting, barring on all incoming calls, do notdisturb, etc.

A call feature typically has feature data associated with a particularuser. For instance, the call forwarding unconditional feature includesfeature data such as a directory number for the call forwarding, anactivate/deactivate indicator, etc. The feature data is typicallyuser-changeable or user-updateable meaning that the user can change thefeature data through his/her dual mode device, through a web page, orthrough another means. As an example, if the user of dual mode device130 wants to change a call forwarding directory number, then the usercan enter a new call forwarding directory number and an instruction(e.g., a feature code) through dual mode device 130 to change the callforwarding directory number.

IMS network 110 includes one or more application servers 112-114 and anIMS subscriber server 116. Application servers 112-114 are each adaptedto provide a call feature to dual mode device 130. In providing a callfeature, application servers 112-114 may need to store, access, orotherwise process feature data associated with the call feature. IMSsubscriber server 116 comprises any database or server adapted to storeinformation related to calls or sessions in IMS network 110. One exampleof IMS subscriber server 116 is a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). IMSsubscriber server 116 may store a user profile for the user of dual modedevice 130, which may include storing feature data for one or more callfeatures subscribed to by the user in IMS network 110. IMS network 110may include other elements (not shown), such as a call session controlfunction (CSCF) adapted to serve dual mode device 130.

Legacy network 120 comprises any non-IMS mobile network adapted toprovide call features. Examples of legacy network 120 include a CDMAnetwork and a GSM network. “Legacy” is not intended to refer to onlynetworks presently existing, but also to non-IMS networks that aredeveloped in the future. Legacy network 120 includes a legacy subscriberserver 122, which comprises any database or server adapted to storeinformation related to calls in legacy network 120. One example oflegacy subscriber server 122 is a Home Location Register (HLR). Legacysubscriber server 122 may store a user profile for the user of dual modedevice 130, which may include storing feature data for one or more callfeatures subscribed to by the user in legacy network 120. Legacysubscriber server 122 and IMS subscriber server 116 may comprise aconsolidated or shared subscriber server, such as a combined HLR/HSS.Legacy network 120 may include other elements (not shown), such as aMobile Switching Center (MSC) or other switching system adapted to servedual mode device 130.

If dual mode device 130 is in range of IMS network 110, then dual modedevice 130 registers with IMS network 110. When dual mode device 130 isregistered with IMS network 110, dual mode device 130 receivescommunication access from IMS network 110 to place or receive calls. Oneor more of application servers 112-114 may provide a call feature todual mode device 130 if a call is placed to or from dual mode device 130over IMS network 110. Application servers 112-114 may also allow theuser of dual mode device 130 to change or update feature data associatedwith a call feature.

Similarly, if dual mode device 130 is in range of legacy network 120,then dual mode device 130 registers with legacy network 120. When dualmode device 130 is registered with legacy network 120, dual mode device130 receives communication access from legacy network 120 to place orreceive calls. Legacy network 120, or more precisely one or more networknodes (not shown) in legacy network 120, may provide a call feature todual mode device 130 if a call is placed to or from dual mode device 130over legacy network 120. Legacy network 120 may also allow the user ofdual mode device 130 to change or update feature data associated with acall feature.

According to embodiments of the invention described herein, if a changeis made to feature data of a call feature in one network (e.g., IMSnetwork 110), then the feature data of the corresponding call feature inthe other network (e.g., legacy network 120) is automaticallysynchronized. By synchronizing the feature data of call features betweenthe networks 110 and 120, the user of dual mode device 130 has the samecall feature experience regardless of whether communication access isthrough IMS network 110 or legacy network 120.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 of synchronizingfeature data for a call feature in an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. The steps of method 200 will be described with reference tocommunication network 100 in FIG. 1. The steps of the flow chart in FIG.2 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown.

For method 200, assume that dual mode device 130 has communicationaccess through IMS network 110 and is changing feature data for a callfeature being provided by application server 112 in IMS network 110. Instep 202 of method 200, application server 112 receives a change to thefeature data for the IMS call feature. As previously stated, the changemay be received from dual mode device 130, from a web site, or from someother means. One example of a change to feature data may be a change tothe call forwarding directory number for a call forwarding feature inIMS network 110. The term IMS call feature refers to a call featurebeing provided by IMS network 110.

In step 204, application server 112 notifies IMS subscriber server 116of the change to the feature data for the IMS call feature. As anexample of notification, assume that the IMS subscriber server 116comprises an HSS. One interface commonly used between an applicationserver and an HSS is the Diameter Sh interface. Application server 112may thus use functionality defined for the Sh interface to notify IMSsubscriber server 116 of the change to the feature data. In oneembodiment, application server 112 may format a transparent data blockdefined for the Sh interface indicating the change to the feature datafor the IMS call feature. The change in the feature data indicated inthe transparent data block is for a single call feature. Applicationserver 112 may then transmit the transparent data block to IMSsubscriber server 116.

IMS subscriber server 116 receives the notification of the feature datachange from application server 112. In step 206, IMS subscriber server116 updates feature data for a legacy call feature in legacy subscriberserver 122 based on the change to the feature data for the IMS callfeature. The feature data for the legacy call feature corresponds withthe feature data for the IMS call feature. For instance, if the changein IMS network 110 is to a call forwarding feature, then thecorresponding call forwarding feature in legacy network 120 is updatedin legacy subscriber server 122.

As an example of updating legacy subscriber server 122, assume that IMSsubscriber server 116 receives the transparent data block fromapplication server 112. IMS subscriber server 116 (e.g., an HSS)interprets or otherwise processes the transparent data block to identifythe change to the feature data in IMS network 110. This may include HLRdata range and consistency validation with other HLR data. Suchfunctionality is a departure from the functionality of a traditional HSSof an IMS network, as an HSS does not presently interpret transparentdata. IMS subscriber server 116 then updates legacy subscriber server122 (e.g., an HLR) based on the change identified in the transparentdata block. For instance, IMS subscriber server 116 may use featurerequest functionality from CDMA or supplementary service updatefunctionality from UMTS to update legacy subscriber server 122. If anHSS and HLR are integrated, then such message/request is internal to aHSS/HLR integrated server. If an HSS and HLR are separate servers, thensuch message/requests may be standards-based UMTS MAP messages orANSI-41 MAP messages. IMS subscriber server 116 may also notify otherapplication servers 113-114 of the change to the feature data.

By updating legacy subscriber server 122 based on the change to thefeature data in IMS network 110, the feature data for the legacy callfeature will be synchronized with the feature data for the IMS callfeature. If the user of dual mode device 130 subsequently receivescommunication access through legacy network 120, then legacy network 120can advantageously provide the call feature to the user in the samemanner as IMS network 110.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating another method 300 of synchronizingfeature data for a call feature in an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. The steps of method 300 will be described with reference tocommunication network 100 in FIG. 1. The steps of the flow chart in FIG.3 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown.

For method 300, assume that dual mode device 130 has communicationaccess through legacy network 120 and is changing feature data for acall feature being provided by a network node in legacy network 120. Instep 302 of method 300, legacy subscriber server 122 receives a changeto the feature data for the legacy call feature. As previously stated,the change may be received from dual mode device 130, from a web site,or from some other means. The term legacy call feature refers to a callfeature being provided by legacy network 120.

In step 304, IMS subscriber server 116 identifies the change to thefeature data for the legacy call feature in legacy subscriber server122. IMS subscriber server 116 may include logic or an application thatmonitors updates in legacy subscriber server 122. Alternatively, legacysubscriber server 122 may include logic or an application that notifiesIMS subscriber server 116 when an update occurs in legacy subscriberserver 122.

In step 306, IMS subscriber server 116 notifies one or more applicationservers 112-114 of the change to the feature data for the legacy callfeature. As an example of notification, again assume that the IMSsubscriber server 116 comprises an HSS. IMS subscriber server 116 maythus use functionality defined for the Sh interface to notifyapplication servers 112-114 of the change to the feature data. In oneembodiment, IMS subscriber server 116 may format a transparent datablock defined for the Sh interface indicating the change to the featuredata for the legacy call feature and possibly feature data for otherlegacy call features. IMS subscriber server 116 may then transmit thetransparent data block to application servers 112-114. Applicationservers 112-114 may then process the transparent data block to identifythe change to the feature data for the legacy call feature, and toupdate the feature data for the IMS call feature based on the featuredata for the legacy call feature. Application servers 112-114 mayadditionally use the functionality defined for the Sh interface tosubscribe to IMS subscriber server 116 to be notified of changes tofeature data.

By updating one or more of application servers 112-114 based on thechange to the feature data in legacy network 120, the feature data forthe IMS call feature will be synchronized with the feature data for thelegacy call feature. If the user of dual mode device 130 subsequentlyreceives communication access through IMS network 110, then IMS network110 can advantageously provide the call feature to the user in the samemanner as legacy network 120.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate examples of synchronizing feature data between anIMS network and a cellular network in exemplary embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another communication network 400 in an exemplaryembodiment of the invention. Communication network 400 includes an IMSnetwork 410 and a cellular network 420. The network clouds illustratingthe networks are not being used to show the actual service areas of thenetworks, as the service areas may be separate or overlap. IMS network410 includes a CSCF 411, a plurality of application servers 412-414, andan HSS 416. Cellular network 420 includes a Mobile Switching Center(MSC) 421 and an HLR 422. HLRs are known in cellular networks asdatabases used to store user profiles. Similarly, HSSs are known in IMSnetworks as databases used to store user profiles. In this embodiment,HLR 422 and HSS 416 are implemented as a consolidated or a combinedHLR/HSS. HLR 422 and HSS 416 may be a physically combined unit, or maycomprise multiple units that synchronize their data such that theyappear to be a single unit.

IMS network 410 and legacy network 420 are both adapted to providecommunication services to dual mode device 430. In IMS network 410, CSCF411 serves dual mode device 430 to provide communication access throughIMS network 410. Application servers 412-414 provide call features inIMS network 410 for dual mode device 430, such as call forwarding, callwaiting, etc. HSS 416 enables recall of the feature data stored in HLR422 for the call features provided by IMS network 410 in addition toother call-related or session-related data. In IMS network 410,application servers 412-414 communicate with HSS 416 through a DiameterSh interface.

In cellular network 420, MSC 421 serves dual mode device 430 to providecommunication access through cellular network 420. HLR 422 storesfeature data for the call features provided by cellular network 420 inaddition to other call-related data.

Application servers 412-414 in FIG. 4 provide the call features for IMSnetwork 410. In order to synchronize feature data with cellular network420, application servers 412-414 first subscribe to HSS 416 to receiveupdates on the feature data. FIG. 5 is a message diagram illustratinghow application servers 412-414 subscribe to feature data changes in anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

To start in FIG. 5, application server 412 transmits a Subscribe NotifyRequest (SNR) message to HSS 416 requesting to be notified of changes tofeature data for a particular call feature or call features. HSS 416then responds to application server 412 with a Subscribe Notify Answer(SNA). Application server 412 then transmits a User Data Request (UDR)to HSS 416 to read feature data and other call-related data into a localcache. Responsive to the UDR, HSS 416 transmits a UDA message toapplication server 412 that includes the feature data and othercall-related data. In this message sequence, the pre-defined transparentdata is contained in a User-Data AVP of the UDR. The SNR enablessubsequent of PNR notifications when feature elements are changed.

Assume at this point that dual mode device 430 has initiated a call orsession through IMS network 410. Also assume that the user of dual modedevice 430 wants to deactivate the call forwarding busy feature. FIG. 6is a message diagram illustrating synchronizing feature data between IMSnetwork 410 and cellular network 420 for a call feature change in IMSnetwork 410 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

To start in FIG. 6, application server 412 provides the call forwardingbusy feature in IMS network 410 (see also FIG. 4). Thus, applicationserver 412 receives an instruction from dual mode device 430 todeactivate the call forwarding busy feature. Responsive to theinstruction, application server 412 transmits a UDR to HSS 416 toretrieve feature data if not already cached. HSS 416 responds with a UDAthat includes the feature data. Application server 412 then processesthe feature data to determine if there has been a change to the featuredata based on the instruction. If a change is made, then applicationserver 412 determines that the feature data in HSS 416 and HLR 422 needto be updated.

To update the feature data, application server 412 formats a transparentdata block indicating the change to the feature data for the callforwarding busy feature. Application server 112 then transmits a PushUpdate Request (PUR) to HSS 416 that includes the transparent datablock. The HSS 416 will validate that the requested change is acceptablewithin the rules of the HLR 422 before indicating success or failure.HSS 416 also responds with success or failure to application server 412with a Push Update Answer (PUA).

HSS 416 interprets the transparent data block in the PUR to identify thechange to the feature data for the call forwarding busy feature. Again,this functionality is a departure from the functionality of atraditional HSS of an IMS network, as an HSS does not presentlyinterpret transparent data. HSS 416 then validates the feature dataaccording to rules of updating HLR 422. If such an update is allowed,then HSS 416 updates HLR 422 based on the change to the feature dataprovided in the transparent data block.

Responsive to the change to the feature data, HLR 422 may update featuredata that is being stored in MSC 421. For instance, HLR 422 may transmita QualDir message or an InsertSubscriberData message to MSC 421indicating the change to the feature data.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 6, HSS 416 may also notify otherapplication servers 413-414 of the change to the feature data. Forinstance, if application server 413 subscribed to HSS 416 to be notifiedof changes to feature data, then HSS 416 will update or format thetransparent data block that includes the feature data for one or more ofthe call features. The transparent data block may be defined for all ofthe call features, a subset of the call features, or for a single callfeature. HSS 416 will then transmit a Push Notification Request (PNR) toapplication server 413 that includes the transparent data block.Application server 413 may then process the transparent data block toidentify the changes to the feature data and update the feature databased on the change.

FIG. 6 illustrates a change made to a call feature through IMS network410, but changes may also be made through cellular network 420. Assumenow that the user of dual mode device 430 wants to activate the callforwarding busy feature, but this time through cellular network 420.FIG. 7 is a message diagram illustrating synchronizing feature databetween IMS network 410 and cellular network 420 for a call featurechange in cellular network 420 in an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

To start in FIG. 7, MSC 421 receives an instruction from dual modedevice 430 to activate the call forwarding busy feature. Responsive tothe instruction, MSC 421 transmits a Feature Request (FeatReq) messageor a Supplementary Service Activate (SSActivate) message to HLR 422indicating the change. HLR 422 responds to MSC 421 with a FeatureRequest Return Result (featreqRR) message or a Supplementary ServiceActivate (SSActivate) response message. HLR 422 may also transmit aQualDir message or an InsertSubscriber message to MSC 421 indicating thechange to the feature data.

HSS 416 then identifies a change to the feature data for the callforwarding busy feature in HLR 422. HSS 416 may include logic or anapplication that monitors updates in HLR 422. Alternatively, HLR 422 mayinclude logic or an application that notifies HSS 416 when an updateoccurs in HLR 422. Responsive to identifying a change to feature data,HSS 416 updates or formats the transparent data block that includes thefeature data for one or more of the call features. As previously stated,the transparent data block may be defined for all of the call features,a subset of the call features, or for a single call feature.

HSS 416 then determines which application servers 412-414 subscribed tobe notified of a change to the transparent data block. Assume thatapplication server 412 has such a subscription. HSS 416 then transmits aPNR to application server 412 that includes the transparent data block.Application server 412 may then process the transparent data block toidentify the changes to the feature data and update the feature databased on the change. Application server 412 also responds to HSS 416with a PNA.

Using the transparent data functionality of the Sh interface, HSS 416 isadvantageously able to identify changes to feature data in IMS network410 and update HLR 422 based on the feature data change. Also, HSS 416is able to identify changes to feature data in cellular network 420 andupdate application servers 412-414 (if necessary) based on the featuredata change. The feature data is thus synchronized between IMS network410 and cellular network 420 which allow networks 410 and 420 to provideconsistent call features to dual mode device 430.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of theinvention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims and any equivalentsthereof.

We claim:
 1. A system comprising: an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)subscriber server operable to store feature data for an IMS call featureprovided to a dual mode device by an IMS network; the IMS subscriberserver further operable to receive a notification from an applicationserver indicating a change to the feature data in the IMS network madeby an end user of the dual mode device, and to update correspondingfeature data stored in a legacy subscriber server of a legacy networkbased on the change to the feature data in the IMS network.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein: the IMS subscriber server is further operableto receive a transparent data block defined for a Diameter Sh interfaceindicating the change to the feature data in the IMS network, tointerpret the transparent data block to identify the change to thefeature data in the IMS network, to validate the change to the featuredata based on rules for the legacy subscriber server, and to update thecorresponding feature data stored in the legacy subscriber server basedon the change to the feature data in the IMS network provided in thetransparent data block.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the transparentdata block indicates a change to feature data for a single IMS callfeature.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein: the IMS subscriber server isfurther operable to monitor the legacy subscriber server, to identify achange to feature data in the legacy network, and to notify theapplication server of the change to the feature data in the legacynetwork.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein: the IMS subscriber server isfurther operable to receive a subscription request from the applicationserver requesting to be notified of a change to the feature data in thelegacy network; and responsive to identifying the change to the featuredata in the legacy network, the IMS subscriber server is furtheroperable to format a transparent data block defined for a Diameter Shinterface indicating the change to the feature data in the legacynetwork, and to transmit the transparent data block to the applicationserver.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the legacy subscriber serverand the IMS subscriber server comprise a combined Home Location Register(HLR)/Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein thelegacy network comprises a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS) network.
 8. A method comprising: storing feature data in an IPMultimedia Subsystem (IMS) subscriber server for an IMS call featureprovided to a dual mode device by an IMS network; receiving anotification from an application server indicating a change to thefeature data in the IMS network made by an end user of the dual modedevice; and updating corresponding feature data stored in a legacysubscriber server of a legacy network based on the change to the featuredata in the IMS network.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein: the step ofreceiving the notification from the application server comprises:receiving a transparent data block defined for a Diameter Sh interfaceindicating the change to the feature data in the IMS network, andinterpreting the transparent data block to identify the change to thefeature data in the IMS network; and the step of updating thecorresponding feature data stored in the legacy subscriber servercomprises: validating the change to the feature data based on rules forthe legacy subscriber server, and updating the corresponding featuredata stored in the legacy subscriber server based on the change to thefeature data in the IMS network provided in the transparent data block.10. The method of claim 9 wherein the transparent data block indicates achange to feature data for a single IMS call feature.
 11. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising: monitoring the legacy subscriber server;identifying a change to feature data in the legacy network; andnotifying the application server of the change to the feature data inthe legacy network.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:receiving a subscription request from the application server requestingto be notified of a change to the feature data in the legacy network;and responsive to identifying the change to the feature data in thelegacy network, the method further comprises formatting a transparentdata block defined for a Diameter Sh interface indicating the change tothe feature data in the legacy network, and transmitting the transparentdata block to the application server.
 13. The method of claim 8 whereinthe legacy subscriber server and the IMS subscriber server comprise acombined Home Location Register (HLR)/Home Subscriber Server (HSS). 14.The method of claim 8 wherein the legacy network comprises a UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network.
 15. A systemcomprising: an application server of an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)network that is operable to provide an IMS call feature to a dual modedevice based on feature data defined for an end user of the dual modedevice in the IMS network; the application server further operable toreceive a change to the feature data from the end user of the dual modedevice, and to update corresponding feature data of a legacy callfeature in a legacy network based on the change to the feature data inthe IMS network so that the feature data is synchronized between the IMSnetwork and the legacy network.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein: theapplication server is further operable to notify an IMS subscriberserver of the change to the feature data in the IMS network to in turncause the IMS subscriber server to update the corresponding feature datain the legacy network based on the change to the feature data in the IMSnetwork.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein: the application server isfurther operable to format a transparent data block defined for aDiameter Sh interface indicating the change to the feature data in theIMS network, and to transmit the transparent data block to the IMSsubscriber server.
 18. The system of claim 15 wherein: the applicationserver is further operable to transmit a subscription request to the IMSsubscriber server requesting to be notified of a change to feature datain the legacy network, and to receive a notification from the IMSsubscriber server indicating a change to feature data in the legacynetwork.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein: the application server isfurther operable to process a transparent data block defined for aDiameter Sh interface to identify the change to the feature data in thelegacy network, and to update corresponding feature data in the IMSnetwork.
 20. The system of claim 15 wherein the legacy network comprisesa Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network.